Aelira slept for most of the day.
Not the restless, fractured sleep she had grown used to—but something deeper. Heavier. As if her body had finally claimed its due.
When she woke, sunlight spilled across the floor in thin golden lines. The room smelled faintly of herbs and clean linen.
She shifted—and winced.
Pain flared beneath her ribs, dull but insistent.
"Don't move."
The voice was quiet. Familiar.
Aelira turned her head.
Kael sat in the chair near the window, arms folded, posture relaxed in a way that would have fooled anyone else. His gaze lifted slowly, sharp and assessing, the moment she stirred.
"How long have you been there?" she asked.
"Long enough," he replied.
She exhaled slowly. "You shouldn't be."
"And yet," Kael said, standing, "here I am."
He crossed the room and poured water into a glass, holding it out to her without comment. Aelira accepted it, their fingers brushing briefly.
The warmth inside her stirred.
She froze.
Kael noticed.
His eyes narrowed. "Still responding?"
"Yes," she admitted. "But quieter."
"Good." He nodded once. "It means you didn't rupture anything permanent."
That should have comforted her.
It didn't.
"Why stay?" she asked softly, watching him over the rim of the glass. "If I was unconscious, I couldn't exactly—misuse my power."
Kael didn't answer immediately.
He turned toward the window, gaze fixed on the courtyard below. Guards patrolled in pairs. Servants moved quickly, heads bowed.
"They're watching your wing more closely," he said instead. "The queen hasn't summoned you today."
Aelira's brows knit. "That's worse."
"Yes."
He turned back to her. "Silence is preparation."
Aelira set the glass aside. "For what?"
Kael studied her for a long moment, then reached into his coat and placed a small object on the bedside table.
A ring.
Simple. Dark metal. Etched with faint runes.
"What is this?" she asked.
"A ward," he said. "It won't stop your power—but it will muffle it. Just enough to keep others from sensing you."
She looked up sharply. "You made this."
"Yes."
"For me?"
"Yes."
The silence stretched.
"You're taking a risk," Aelira said quietly.
Kael's mouth curved faintly. "I'm aware."
She slipped the ring onto her finger.
The warmth inside her settled immediately—still present, but contained. Tamed.
Her breath eased.
"Thank you," she said.
Kael nodded once, then stepped back.
"Rest today," he said. "Tonight, you do nothing."
"And tomorrow?" she asked.
"Tomorrow," he replied, eyes darkening, "the queen makes her move."
Aelira's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Good," she said softly. "I was getting bored."
Kael watched her for a moment longer than necessary.
Then he turned and left without another word.
Aelira lay back against the pillows, fingers closing around the ring.
The silence in the room felt charged now.
Waiting.
Because whatever Queen Seraphine was planning—
This time, Aelira would be ready.